Bayern's Croatian Mario steps to exit

The striker says despite his best efforts he simply cannot get the best out of himself in the club's new playing style and will now depart for pastures new.

Mario Mandzukic has confirmed he will leave Bayern Munich as a result of his failure to adapt to Pep Guardiola's tactics.

Mandzukic has been linked with a host of Premier League clubs, including Chelsea, after his future with the Bundesliga giants came under scrutiny following the signing of Dortmund striker Robert Lewandowski.

The Croatia international - a regular former boss Jupp Heynckes - was in and out of the side last season and ended the campaign by being dropped for the DFB Pokal final victory over Dortmund.

The 28-year-old striker has now confirmed he is leaving Bayern, and pointed to Guardiola's possession-based style as the primary factor behind that decision.

Mandzukic also revealed he had a meeting with Karl-Heinz Rummenigge in early May, telling the Bayern chief he wanted a move.

"At Bayern it was fantastic. It's a fantastic club. Indeed, until recently I didn't even think about leaving, and especially that it would happen now," he told Sportske novosti.